A tigress and her two cubs have been captured on camera in Thailand’s Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, marking a positive step in the country’s ongoing conservation efforts for the endangered species. The sighting, recorded in mid-February, highlights progress in preserving tiger populations within the Western Forest Complex.
The tigress, identified as F22, and her cubs—estimated to be between four and six months old—were filmed on the night of February 15-16 by an automatic camera trap, according to Porayut Waiwong, director of the Protected Area Regional Office 14 in Tak province. The images suggest the animals are in good health.
Camera traps have been in place at the sanctuary since 2022, with support from the World Wildlife Fund. That year, F22 was documented for the first time, raising hopes for future cubs. Signs of their presence became more evident last December when rangers discovered tracks of varying sizes near the sanctuary’s border with Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. This finding led to additional camera traps being set up, eventually capturing the recent footage of F22 and her offspring.
Other wildlife was also recorded in the area, including a leopard surveying its territory, hyenas, wild boar, deer, and barking deer. Experts note that the presence of these species indicates a healthy ecosystem capable of supporting top predators like tigers.
Officials emphasized that the sighting is an encouraging development, as tigers remain under threat of extinction. Their survival depends on the availability of prey and well-protected habitats. The footage serves as further evidence that conservation efforts in Thailand’s Western Forest Complex are yielding results.
